DOCSLIB.ORG

Extremity Imaging

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Extremity Imaging CLINICAL APPROPRIATENESS GUIDELINES ADVANCED IMAGING Appropriate Use Criteria: Imaging of the Extremities ARCHIVED SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 These documents have been archived because they have outdated information. They are for historical information only and should not be consulted for clinical use. Current versions of guidelines are available on the AIM Specialty Health website at http://www.aimspecialtyhealth.com/ EFFECTIVE MARCH 9, 2019 Proprietary Approval and implementation dates for specific health plans may vary. Please consult the applicable health plan for more details. AIM Specialty Health disclaims any responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein. 8600 West Bryn Mawr Avenue Appropriate.Safe.Affordable South Tower – Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60631 © 2017 ©©©© 2019 AIM Specialty Health www.aimspecialtyhealth.com 2057-0319 Imaging of the Extremities Table of Contents Description and Application of the Guidelines .......................................................................................................... 5 General Clinical Guideline ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Clinical Appropriateness Framework .................................................................................................................... 6 Simultaneous Ordering of Multiple Diagnostic or Therapeutic Interventions .................................................... 6 Repeat Diagnostic Intervention .............................................................................................................................. 6 Repeat Therapeutic Intervention ............................................................................................................................ 7 History ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Imaging of the Extremities .......................................................................................................................................... 8 General Information/Overview ................................................................................................................................ 8 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Technology Considerations ................................................................................................................................... 8 Definitions .............................................................................................................................................................. 8 Clinical Indications .................................................................................................................................................... 10 Congenital and Developmental Conditions ......................................................................................................... 10 Blount disease (Pediatric only) ............................................................................................................................ 10 Congenital anomalies of the lower extremity (Pediatric only) .............................................................................. 10 Congenital anomalies of the upper extremity (Pediatric only) .............................................................................. 11 Coxa vara (Pediatric only) ................................................................................................................................... 11 Developmental dysplasia of the hip (Pediatric only) ............................................................................................ 11 Discoid meniscus (Pediatric only) ........................................................................................................................ 11 Tarsal coalition .................................................................................................................................................... 11 Infection .................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Soft tissue infection ............................................................................................................................................. 12 Osteomyelitis ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 Septic arthritis ...................................................................................................................................................... 13 Inflammatory Conditions....................................................................................................................................... 14 Bursitis................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Capitellar osteochondritis .................................................................................................................................... 14 Epicondylitis ........................................................................................................................................................ 14 Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (Pediatric only) .......................................................................................................... 14 Myositis ............................................................................................................................................................... 15 Plantar fasciitis .................................................................................................................................................... 15 Tenosynovitis – long head of biceps ................................................................................................................... 15 Trauma .................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Fracture ............................................................................................................................................................... 16 Patellar dislocation – transient (Pediatric only) .................................................................................................... 17 Patellar sleeve avulsion (Pediatric only) .............................................................................................................. 17 Trauma complications (Pediatric only) ................................................................................................................ 17 Traumatic injuries – acute/not otherwise specified .............................................................................................. 17 Copyright © 2019. AIM Specialty Health. All Rights Reserved. 2 Imaging of the Extremities Tumor/Neoplasm ................................................................................................................................................... 18 Brachial plexus mass .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Morton’s neuroma ............................................................................................................................................... 18 Osteochondroma or exostosis (Pediatric only) .................................................................................................... 18 Osteoid osteoma (Pediatric only) ........................................................................................................................ 18 Pigmented villonodular synovitis ......................................................................................................................... 18 Posterior knee mass (Adult only) ......................................................................................................................... 19 Soft tissue mass – not otherwise specified .......................................................................................................... 19 Ligament and Tendon Derangement .................................................................................................................... 20 Adhesive capsulitis (Adult only) ........................................................................................................................... 20 Labral tear – hip .................................................................................................................................................. 20 Labral tear – shoulder ......................................................................................................................................... 21 Ligament tear – knee ........................................................................................................................................... 22 Meniscal tear/injury ............................................................................................................................................. 22 Rotator cuff tear (Adult only) ...............................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Acute < 6 Weeks Subacute ~ 6 Weeks Chronic >
    Pain Articular Non-articular Localized Generalized . Regional Pain Disorders . Myalgias without Weakness Soft Tissue Rheumatism (ex., fibromyalgia, polymyalgia (ex., soft tissue rheumatism rheumatica) tendonitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis, fasciitis) . Myalgia with Weakness (ex., Inflammatory muscle disease) Clinical Features of Arthritis Monoarthritis Oligoarthritis Polyarthritis (one joint) (two to five joints) (> five joints) Acute < 6 weeks Subacute ~ 6 weeks Chronic > 6 weeks Inflammatory Noninflammatory Differential Diagnosis of Arthritis Differential Diagnosis of Arthritis Acute Monarthritis Acute Polyarthritis Inflammatory Inflammatory . Infection . Viral - gonococcal (GC) - hepatitis - nonGC - parvovirus . Crystal deposition - HIV - gout . Rheumatic fever - calcium . GC - pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) . CTD (connective tissue diseases) - hydroxylapatite (HA) - RA . Spondyloarthropathies - systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) - reactive . Sarcoidosis - psoriatic . - inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Spondyloarthropathies - reactive - Reiters . - psoriatic Early RA - IBD - Reiters Non-inflammatory . Subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) . Trauma . Hemophilia Non-inflammatory . Avascular Necrosis . Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy . Internal derangement Chronic Monarthritis Chronic Polyarthritis Inflammatory Inflammatory . Chronic Infection . Bony erosions - fungal, - RA/Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA ) - tuberculosis (TB) - Crystal deposition . Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - Infection (15%) - Erosive OA (rare) Non-inflammatory - Spondyloarthropathies
    [Show full text]
  • Axial Spondyloarthritis
    Central JSM Arthritis Review Article *Corresponding author Mali Jurkowski, Department of Internal Medicine, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Axial Spondyloarthritis: Clinical Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA Submitted: 07 December 2020 Features, Classification, and Accepted: 31 January 2021 Published: 03 February 2021 ISSN: 2475-9155 Treatment Copyright Mali Jurkowski1*, Stephanie Jeong1 and Lawrence H Brent2 © 2021 Jurkowski M, et al. 1Department of Internal Medicine, Temple University Hospital, USA OPEN ACCESS 2Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, USA Keywords ABBREVIATIONS • Spondyloarthritis • Ankylosing spondylitis HLA-B27: human leukocyte antigen-B27; SpA: • HLA-B27 spondyloarthritis; AS: ankylosing spondylitis; nr-axSpA: non- • Classification criteria radiographic axial spondyloarthritis; ReA: reactive arthritis; PsA: psoriatic arthritis; IBD-SpA: disease associated spondyloarthritis; ASAS: Assessment of of rheumatoid arthritis [6]. AS affects men more than women SpondyloArthritis international Society; NSAIDs:inflammatory nonsteroidal bowel 79.6%, whereas nr-axSpA affects men and women equally 72.4% CASPAR: [7], independent of HLA-B27. This article will discuss the clinical for Psoriatic Arthritis; DMARDs: disease modifying anti- and diagnostic features of SpA, compare the classification criteria, rheumaticanti-inflammatory drugs; CD:drugs; Crohn’s disease; ClassificationUC: ulcerative Criteriacolitis; and provide updates regarding treatment options, including the ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP: C-reactive protein; developmentCLINICAL FEATURESof biologics and targeted synthetic agents. TNFi: X-ray: plain radiography; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; CT: computed Inflammatory back pain tomography;tumor US: necrosis ultrasonography; factor-α wb-MRI:inhibitors; ESSG: European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group; IL-17i: whole-body MRI; JAKi: PDE4i: Inflammatory back pain is the hallmark of SpA, present in 70- 80% of patients [8].
    [Show full text]
  • Charcot Arthropathy: Differential Diagnosis of Inflammatory Arthritis
    CHARCOT ARTHROPATHY: DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS CAMILA DA SILVA CENDON DURAN (USP-SP, SÃO PAULO, SP, Brasil), CARLA BALEEIRO RODRIGUES SILVA (USP-SP, SÃO PAULO, SP, Brasil), CARLO SCOGNAMIGLIO RENNER ARAUJO (USP-SP, SÃO PAULO, SP, Brasil), LUCAS BRANDÃO ARAUJO DA SILVA (USP-SP, SÃO PAULO, SP, Brasil), LUCIANA PARENTE COSTA SEGURO (USP-SP, SÃO PAULO, SP, Brasil), LISSIANE KARINE NORONHA GUEDES (USP-SP, SÃO PAULO, SP, Brasil), ROSA MARIA RODRIGUES PEREIRA (USP-SP, SÃO PAULO, SP, Brasil), EDUARDO FERREIRA BORBA NETO (USP-SP, SÃO PAULO, SP, Brasil) BACKGROUND Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) is the most common hereditary neuropathy, with an estimated prevalence of 40 cases per 100,000 individuals. CMT type 2, the most common subtype, is an axonal disorder, usually beginning during the second or third decade of life. Clinical features include distal weakness, muscle atrophy, reduced sensitivity, decreased deep tendon reflexes and deformity of the foot. It may lead to the development of Charcot arthropathy, with increased osteoclastic activity and joint destruction. Ultrasonography can show effusion, synovitis, high-grade doppler activity and bone irregularities, findings that can lead to a misdiagnosis of inflammatory arthritis. CASE REPORT Male, 27-year-old, reported a history of pain and warm swelling of the left ankle and midfoot, worsening after exercise and improving with rest, that started nine years ago and persisted for one year. During this period, he self-medicated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. He denied associated symptoms such as ocular inflammation, skin lesions, diarrhea, urethritis or fever. Ten months ago, he began to present similar symptoms in right ankle and midfoot, after a 7-year asymptomatic period.
    [Show full text]
  • Approach to Polyarthritis for the Primary Care Physician
    24 Osteopathic Family Physician (2018) 24 - 31 Osteopathic Family Physician | Volume 10, No. 5 | September / October, 2018 REVIEW ARTICLE Approach to Polyarthritis for the Primary Care Physician Arielle Freilich, DO, PGY2 & Helaine Larsen, DO Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, West Islip, New York KEYWORDS: Complaints of joint pain are commonly seen in clinical practice. Primary care physicians are frequently the frst practitioners to work up these complaints. Polyarthritis can be seen in a multitude of diseases. It Polyarthritis can be a challenging diagnostic process. In this article, we review the approach to diagnosing polyarthritis Synovitis joint pain in the primary care setting. Starting with history and physical, we outline the defning characteristics of various causes of arthralgia. We discuss the use of certain laboratory studies including Joint Pain sedimentation rate, antinuclear antibody, and rheumatoid factor. Aspiration of synovial fuid is often required for diagnosis, and we discuss the interpretation of possible results. Primary care physicians can Rheumatic Disease initiate the evaluation of polyarthralgia, and this article outlines a diagnostic approach. Rheumatology INTRODUCTION PATIENT HISTORY Polyarticular joint pain is a common complaint seen Although laboratory studies can shed much light on a possible diagnosis, a in primary care practices. The diferential diagnosis detailed history and physical examination remain crucial in the evaluation is extensive, thus making the diagnostic process of polyarticular symptoms. The vast diferential for polyarticular pain can difcult. A comprehensive history and physical exam be greatly narrowed using a thorough history. can help point towards the more likely etiology of the complaint. The physician must frst ensure that there are no symptoms pointing towards a more serious Emergencies diagnosis, which may require urgent management or During the initial evaluation, the physician must frst exclude any life- referral.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Treatment in Resistant Adult-Onset Still's Disease: a Single-Center, Retrospective Cohort Study
    Arch Rheumatol 2021;36(x):i-viii doi: 10.46497/ArchRheumatol.2021.8669 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Biological treatment in resistant adult-onset Still’s disease: A single-center, retrospective cohort study Seda Çolak, Emre Tekgöz, Maghrur Mammadov, Muhammet Çınar, Sedat Yılmaz Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) under biological treatment. Patients and methods: This retrospective cohort study included a total of 19 AOSD patients (13 males, 6 females; median age: 37 years; range, 28 to 52 years) who received biological drugs due to refractory disease between January 2008 and January 2020. The data of the patients were obtained from the patient files. The response to the treatment was evaluated based on clinical and laboratory assessments at third and sixth follow-up visits. Results: Interleukin (IL)-1 inhibitor was prescribed for 13 (68.4%) patients and IL-6 inhibitor prescribed for six (31.6%) patients. Seventeen (89.5%) patients experienced clinical remission. Conclusion: Biological drugs seem to be effective for AOSD patients who are resistant to conventional therapies. Due to the administration methods and the high costs of these drugs, however, tapering the treatment should be considered, after remission is achieved. Keywords: Adult-onset Still’s disease, anakinra, tocilizumab, treatment. Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a rare diseases that may lead to similar clinical and systemic inflammatory disease with an unknown laboratory findings. etiology. The main clinical manifestations of It is well known that proinflammatory the disease are fever, maculopapular salmon- pink rash, arthralgia, and arthritis.
    [Show full text]
  • Differential Diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
    pISSN: 2093-940X, eISSN: 2233-4718 Journal of Rheumatic Diseases Vol. 24, No. 3, June, 2017 https://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2017.24.3.131 Review Article Differential Diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Young Dae Kim1, Alan V Job2, Woojin Cho2,3 1Department of Pediatrics, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea, 2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 3Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, USA Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a broad spectrum of disease defined by the presence of arthritis of unknown etiology, lasting more than six weeks duration, and occurring in children less than 16 years of age. JIA encompasses several disease categories, each with distinct clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, genetic backgrounds, and pathogenesis. JIA is classified into sev- en subtypes by the International League of Associations for Rheumatology: systemic, oligoarticular, polyarticular with and with- out rheumatoid factor, enthesitis-related arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated arthritis. Diagnosis of the precise sub- type is an important requirement for management and research. JIA is a common chronic rheumatic disease in children and is an important cause of acute and chronic disability. Arthritis or arthritis-like symptoms may be present in many other conditions. Therefore, it is important to consider differential diagnoses for JIA that include infections, other connective tissue diseases, and malignancies. Leukemia and septic arthritis are the most important diseases that can be mistaken for JIA. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the subtypes and differential diagnoses of JIA. (J Rheum Dis 2017;24:131-137) Key Words.
    [Show full text]
  • Spondyloarthropathies and Reactive Arthritis
    RHEUMATOLOGY SPONDYLOARTHRITIS ROBERT L. DIGIOVANNI, DO, FACOI PROGRAM DIRECTOR LMC RHEUMATOLOGY FELLOWSHIP [email protected] DISCLOSURES •NONE SERONEGATIVE SPONDYLOARTHROPATHIES SLIDES PREPARED BY GENE JALBERT, DO SENIOR RHEUMATOLOGY FELLOW THE SPONDYLOARTHROPATHIES: • Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.) • Non-radiographic Axial spondyloarthropathies (nr-axSpA) • Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) • Inflammatory Bowel Disease Associated (Enteropathic) • Crohn and Ulcerative Colitis • +/- Microscopic colitis • Reactive Arthritis (ReA) • Juvenile-Onset SpA • Others: Bechet’s dz, Celiac, Whipples, pouchitis. THE FAMOUS VENN DIAGRAM: SPONDYLOARTHROPATHY: • First case of Axial SpA was reported in 1691 however some believe Ramses II has A.S. • 2.4 million adults in the United States have Seronegative SpA • Compare with RA, which affects about 1.3 million Americans • Prevalence variation for A.S.: Europe (0.12-1%), Asia (0.17%), Latin America (0.1%), Africa (0.07%), USA (0.34%). • Pathophysiology in general: • Responsible Interleukins: IL-12, IL17, IL-22, and IL23. SPONDYLOARTHROPATHY: • Axial SpA: • Radiographic (Sacroiliitis seen on X- ray) • No Radiographic features non- radiographic SpA (nr-SpA) • Nr-SpA was formally known as undifferentiated SpA • Peripheral SpA: • Enthesitis, dactylitis and arthritis • Eventually evolves into a specific diagnosis A.S., PsA, etc. • Can be a/w IBD, HLA-B27 positivity, uveitis SHARED CLINICAL FEATURES: • Axial joint disease (especially SI joints) • Asymmetrical Oligoarthritis (2-4 joints). • Dactylitis (Sausage
    [Show full text]
  • Lecture 58-Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.Pdf
    Done By: Reviewed By: Ahlam Almutairi Wael Al Saleh COLOR GUIDE: • Females' Notes • Males' Notes • Important • Additional 432MedicineTeam Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Objectives By the end of this lecture student should know: 1. Pathology, 2. Clinical features, 3. Laboratory and radiologic changes 4. Line of management of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis 1 432MedicineTeam Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Note: Systemic chronic inflammatory disease Sometimes it is called Mainly affects synovial joints rheumatoid disease because it is not • Variable expression confined to joints • Prevalence about 3% • Worldwide distribution • Female: male ratio 3:1 • Peak age of onset: 25-50 years • Unknown etiology • Genetics • Environmental • Possible infectious component • Autoimmune disorder THE PATHOLOGY OF RA o Synovitis (Joints, Tendon, sheaths& Bursae) o Nodules o Vasculitis RA Is Characterized by Synovitis and Joint Destruction Note: Pannus= part of the thickened synovia that will invade the cartilage and bone (will show in x-ray as erosion) 2 432MedicineTeam Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Numerous Cellular Interactions Drive the RA Process "Trigger > activation of the T&B cells, Rheumatoid factor and autoantibodies >proteolytic enzymes, cytokines, ILs and TNF are produced> inflammation and synovial pannus formation, cartilage breakdown and bone resorption." IL-1 and TNF- Have a Number of Overlapping Proinflammatory Effects IL-1 Plays a Pivotal Role in the Inflammatory and Destructive Processes
    [Show full text]
  • Musculoskeletal Manifestations in Hyperlipidaemia: a Controlled Study
    44 Annals ofthe Rheumatic Diseases 1993; 52: 44 48 Musculoskeletal manifestations in hyperlipidaemia: Ann Rheum Dis: first published as 10.1136/ard.52.1.44 on 1 January 1993. Downloaded from a controlled study P Klemp, Anne M Halland, F L Majoos, Krisela Steyn Abstract arthritis, and oligoarthritis. '-' The reported Eighty eight patients with hyperlipidaemia (81 prevalence of these manifestations varies widely white patients from South Africa and seven from study to study because of differences in patients of mixed race from the West Cape classification of the hyperlipidaemias, patient area) were studied. Forty eight had adult selection, and study design. Interpretation of familialhypercholesterolaemia, 16had juvenile the findings, none of which included control familial hypercholesterolaemia, and 24 had patients, is difficult especially where prevalence mixed hyperlipidaemia (increased cholesterol figures are low. Migratory polyarthritis appears and triglycerides). They were interviewed and to be particularly associated with homozygous examined and their musculoskeletal mani- familial hypercholesterolaemia.' There are, festations compared with 88 controls with however, other uncontrolled studies which normal lipid profiles, and matched for age, show no specific associations between hyper- sex, and race for each group of patients. The lipidaemia and rheumatic disorders.' '1 foliowing manifestations were significantly In the one controlled study the only difference increased inthepatients: (a) tendon xanthomas between patients with hypercholesterolaemia particularly of the tendo Achiflis in patients and controls was that pain, particularly of the with adult familial hypercholesterolaemia and ankles and feet, was significantly more severe in mixed hyperlipidaemia; (b) tendo Achillis the patients." There was no difference in the tendinitis in patients with adult familial hyper- duration of morning stiffness, analgesic use, or cholesterolaemia and mixed hyperlipidaemia; effect on lifestyle.
    [Show full text]
  • Approach to the Patient with Arthritis Articular Vs
    Approach to the Patient with Arthritis Articular Vs. Periarticular Clinical feature Articular Periarticular Anatomic Synovium, Tendon, bursa, structure cartilage, ligament, capsule muscle, bone Painful site Diffuse, deep Focal “point” Pain on Active/passive, Active, in few movement all planes planes Swelling Common Uncommon Inflammatory versus Noninflammatory Arthritis Inflammatory Arthritis Noninflammatory Arthritis • Pain and stiffness typically are • Pain that worsens with worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity (the so- activity and improves with called "gel phenomenon") and rest. Stiffness is generally improve with mild to mild moderate activity. • Elevated erythrocyte • The ESR and CRP are usually sedimentation rate (ESR) and a normal. high C-reactive protein (CRP) level • The synovial fluid WBC • The synovial fluid WBC count count is is <2000/mm3 in is >2000/mm3 in inflammatory noninflammatory arthritis arthritis. Constitutional Symptoms Active infection Not due to active infection 1. Septic arthritis 1. Systemic lupus erythematosus 2. Disseminated gonococcal 2. Drug-induced lupus infection 3. Still disease 4. Gout/ Pseudogout 3. Endocarditis 5. Reactive arthritis (particularly in 4. Acute viral infections its early phases) 6. Acute rheumatic fever and 5. Mycobacterial poststreptococcal arthritis 6. Fungal 7. Inflammatory bowel disease 8. Acute sarcoidosis 9. Systemic vasculitis 10. Familial Mediterranean fever and other inherited periodic fever syndromes 11. Paraneoplastic arthritis Skin Lesions Useful in Diagnosis
    [Show full text]
  • Connective Tissue Diseases, Multimorbidity and the Ageing Lung
    STATE OF THE ART | MULTIMORBIDITY AND THE LUNG Connective tissue diseases, multimorbidity and the ageing lung Paolo Spagnolo1, Jean-François Cordier2,3 and Vincent Cottin2,3,4 Number 8 in the series “Multimorbidity and the lung” Edited by L.M. Fabbri and J.M. Drazen Affiliations: 1Medical University Clinic, Canton Hospital Baselland, and University of Basel, Liestal, Switzerland. 2Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Louis Pradel, National Reference Center for Rare Pulmonary Diseases, Lyon, France. 3Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, University of Lyon, Lyon, France. 4INRA, UMR754, Lyon, France. Correspondence: Vincent Cottin, Hôpital Louis Pradel, F-69677 Lyon Cedex, France. E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT Connective tissue diseases encompass a wide range of heterogeneous disorders characterised by immune-mediated chronic inflammation often leading to tissue damage, collagen deposition and possible loss of function of the target organ. Lung involvement is a common complication of connective tissue diseases. Depending on the underlying disease, various thoracic compartments can be involved but interstitial lung disease is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension or both are found most commonly in systemic sclerosis. In the elderly, the prevalence of connective tissue diseases continues to rise due to both longer life expectancy and more effective and better-tolerated treatments. In the geriatric population, connective tissue diseases are almost invariably accompanied by age-related comorbidities, and disease- and treatment-related complications, which contribute to the significant morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions, and complicate treatment decision-making. Connective tissue diseases in the elderly represent a growing concern for healthcare providers and an increasing burden of global health resources worldwide.
    [Show full text]
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis: an Update
    Rheumatology Ankylosing spondylitis: Vera Golder an update Lionel Schachna Background Spondyloarthritis (SpA) encompasses a group of rheumatic Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) affects one in 200 individuals and disorders that share clinical, genetic and radiographic is usually diagnosed many years after onset of symptoms. features and includes psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis Chronic back pain is common and recognition of early disease and arthritis of inflammatory bowel disease. These requires clinical experience and a high index of suspicion. disorders affect 2–3% of the population and are twice as Further, inflammatory markers are not invariably elevated and common as rheumatoid arthritis. As they often cause long- radiographic changes are often late findings. term disability, early recognition is important. Objective The objective of this review is to address AS and the recently This review will focus on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the recently defined disorder of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. defined disorder of non-radiographic axial SpA.1 These conditions The latter is a common early presentation of AS, before the occur in one in 200 individuals but most general practitioners have development of radiographic sacroiliitis, and will evolve into never identified a new case of AS, suggesting the need for a higher typical AS in 50% of patients. index of suspicion in primary care. Discussion MRI may be particularly useful in evaluating early disease, Clinical features although chronic changes of sacroiliitis are better seen on Back pain plain X-rays. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are first-line therapy and recent studies suggest that regular Approximately 5% of chronic lower back pain is attributable to SpA.
    [Show full text]